Canadian Journal of Pure & Applied Sciences

An International Journal

DISTRIBUTION AND CURRENT TRENDS IN THE POPULATION OF KASHMIR MARKHOR IN CHITRAL GOL NATIONAL PARK DISTRICT CHITRAL, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWAPage No: 4561-4566

By: M Zaheer Khan , Imtiaz Alam , Mehnaz Gul and Hameed Ahmed

Keywords: Caprinae, Markhor, population distribution, threats.

Abstract: Chitral Gol National park (N 33°34\\\\\\\'0.12\\\\\\\" and E 73°29\\\\\\\'59.99\\\\\\\") is known to support the world highest population of
Markhor. The Markhor move to lower areas in the Park during winters to protect themselves from harsh climatic
condition, easy access to food resources and for mating. The Markhors were monitored in Chitral Gol National Park in
November and December 2017. As they reached to lower snow uncovered elevations, a complete survey was done
within a single day on 21 December 2017 within the study area to record the population trend and distribution of
Kashmir Markhor in the study area. A total of 2,057 Markhor distributed in 39 small ridges, clusters and narrow gorges
were enlisted from 8 vantage points. The sex and age analysis showed that 39% were fawns/lambs, females comprised of
26%, while young males and trophy size males were 24% and 11%, respectively. Potential threats included disturbance
due to dry fuel wood collection during breeding season and climate change. Future plans have been suggested for the
conservation and protection of the Kashmir Markhor and other key fauna of the National Park.

The journal complies the terms and conditions stated in the Creative Common Attribution-Non Commercial Public License 4.0. Authors of the articles are
granted the privileges stated in the public license and the terms and conditions can be accessed via Creative Common License Link.